Evan, I completely agree with you on that subject. As all information the statistical information about the shooting rates need proper interpretation. Like your example, for instance:
EvanZ wrote:Say You have two players with the same eFG%, but one has a higher FG%. Does that inform your choice between the two?
Differences in the FG% are pointing to a different player type. Typical a player who plays closer to the basket or scores in a fashion by attacking the basket has a higher FG%, while a better outside shooter can catch up in terms of eFG% via the additional point coming from the 3pt shot. FG%, 3P%, FT%, TS% and eFG% can be used to classify players. The inside big has typical a lower 3p% (most times 0, because 0 3pt shots attempts), a lower FT%, while the TS% and eFG% are close or even equal to the FG% (or TS% lies between the FG% and FT%). A pure 3pt shooter has typical a FG% which is close to his 3P% while his FT% is above league average. TS% and eFG% are commonly close together for such player, because he usually doesn't generate a lot FT attempts. The high efficient scorers have usually FG%, 3PT% and FT% which are closer to the league average, and yet the eFG% and the TS% is higher, while the TS% is typically higher than the eFG%, this player either attacks the rim while creating FT opportunities or is taking the 3pt shot. So, by just looking at the shooting numbers, we can actually get a pretty good idea how the player is acting on the court without watching him all the minutes. And that is only possible, if we take all those information into account.